Steve Forsyth, 45, was one of two people killed Tuesday at Clackamas Town Center. The West Linn resident was father of two and described as "bigger than life," by most everyone who knew him.Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

Steve Forsyth could do a pretty good Johnny Carson, and would say, "Throw it down, big fella! Throw it down!" like basketball star Bill Walton. He also impersonated Jimmy Stewart from "It's a Wonderful Life" – both by quoting him and by mirroring George Bailey's "richest man in the world" outlook.

Forsyth's humor and bigger-than-life personality touched so many people that old friends from across the country wept along with his new next-door-neighbor when they heard he was one of two victims killed in a Tuesday shooting at Clackamas Town Center.

Forsyth, 45, worked for eight years as a general sales manager at Entercom Communications, which owns seven radio stations in the Portland area, before starting his own marketing firm, Big Feat Marketing. And in that time, he made friends with practically every person around him, said former sales team coworker Stacey McCormack. In radio, sales people often accompany on-air personalities to events and promotions, and Forsyth was constantly thinking of great ideas for events and promotions.

Former KNRK DJ Tara Dublin said they once worked on an endorsement together, and after that he occasionally popped into the studio to say he liked her music choices that day. "Not many sales people took the time to do that."

It's no wonder that many coworkers called him a mentor.

"I would get into lots of trouble in my early days and he was always very concerned," said former KNRK DJ Aviano Marconi. "His advice saved me more than once."

When Marconi's grandmother died, he considered quitting radio. After three weeks away from the station, Forsyth called him to say, "I really miss you around here. Are you coming back to make us laugh?"

And with that, Marconi returned and still works in radio and podcasts.

Forsyth Family Assistance Fund

To help the family with funeral and other costs, bring in or mail donations to the Forsyth Family Assistance Fund:

Pacific West Bank

2040 8th Ave.

West Linn, OR 97068

Call Pacific West Bank if you have questions at 503-905-2222.

The fund is organized by the West Linn Youth Basketball Association. The association is donating $500.

Mark Durkin worked for three years in an office next to Forsyth at Entercom, and they became best friends. Along with Forsyth's impressions, he wrote jokes for him and Durkin and created their version of the psychic Carnac routine from the Johnny Carson Show to perform at sales team meetings.

"His humor and laughter was legendary," said Durkin, who nows works in Sacramento after nearly 20 years in Portland radio.

For McCormack, it wasn't just the comedy bits that made the meetings fun, but Forsyth's Tony Robbins-esque inspirational way of speaking. "We was always up there and he was always a big cheerleader. You couldn't help but be engrossed in what he was trying to present."

But he wasn't just a great coworker. "The fact is Steve made everyone feel like his best friend," Durkin said. "A magnetic personality."

It showed Wednesday, as the plugged-in media community shared stories and grief on Twitter and Facebook all day in honor of Forsyth.

Washington broadcaster Marjane Milton sent: Heartbroken for my Portland friends and colleagues. A huge light went out in the media community there today . RIP Beloved Steve Forsyth.

Back at home in West Linn, the feeling was similar.

Julie Atwood didn't know her next-door neighbor well, but the news of his death shook her. Forsyth was the kind of guy who made an impression. They met at a Fourth of July neighborhood party, and often saw each other outside when Forsyth shot hoops or worked out in the garage with his son.

"He was a gracious neighbor. Nice. Always smiling, waving, saying hi to the kids," Atwood said as her six-year-old daughter played around her legs.

Steve Forsythe, left, stands with friend and fellow coach Jeff Jarrett. They coached a West Linn Youth Football team in the fall. "With Steve, there was never any obstacle or situation that didn't have an opportunity or a positive. There was always something good in every situation and I loved that about him," Jarrett said.Jeff Jarrett

Forsyth loved kids, especially his own. When his wife, Carla, was pregnant with their son Alex, now an eighth grader at Rosemont Ridge Middle School in West Linn, he strode the halls beaming, said McCormack. "He love, loved loved being a dad to both of those kids, really."

His stepdaughter, Katie Hughes, graduated from West Linn High School in 2011.

Forsyth also coached a West Linn Youth Football team in the fall, and regularly attended his son's community league basketball games.

"The hardest part about it is knowing that this was a parent who loved his family and who was a great part of many youth sports organizations in our community," said West Linn Youth Basketball Association president Helen Romero.

"I would approach him with my arms waving in a karate chop move, he would grab my wrist and apply pressure to one area, and I would be brought to my knees," Durkin said.

He also created custom wooden coasters with his dad and twin brother, which they sold at the Clackamas Town Center. On Tuesday, he was chatting on the phone with his dad when 22-year-old Jacob Tyler Roberts shot him in the food court of the mall. His wife and daughter were in nearby Macy's when the shooting started. When the phone fell on the ground, Forsyth's father called Carla to say that his son had suddenly stopped talking, according to former coworkers.

The news stunned even people who lost contact over the years. But Forsyth was unforgettable to so many.

"Steve told me one day that "Brandi – You're a Fine Girl" was (President and CEO of Entercom) David Field's favorite song," wrote former Entercom sales manager Laurie Stroud in an email. "I didn't really believe that, but, you couldn't really argue with Steve as he was always "right," and it was such fun – and so absurd – to believe it. I never asked David if it was true or not. So, whenever we heard the song on the radio we would call each other to say, "Listen to KISN –- they're playing David's favorite song!" Even after I moved to Seattle, we would email each other if we happened to hear the song being played, or send each other a snippet of it along with an email. To this day, I have no idea if David Field even knows the song, let alone likes it, but every time I hear it, I think of Steve. And always will."